Cabbage, Salad Delight (Red)

Short Description

Delicious, early maturing red cabbage.

Full Description

Salad Delight is a delicious, early maturing red cabbage with a 3 lb. head. An outstanding slicing cabbage with well-marbled firm, glossy crimson leaves and pure white ribs. GARDEN HINTS: For earlier harvest, sow seeds indoors in a sunny spot or under plant lights 6 to 8 weeks before outdoor planting date- this works for both the spring and fall! If purchasing plants in the fall, plant upon arrival and harvest before heavy frost hits. Avoid planting in garden area where cabbage family was grown the year before. Withstands light frost.

Days To Maturity
The average number of days from when the plant is actively growing in the garden to the expected time of harvest.

50 days

Sun
The amount of sunlight this product needs daily in order to perform well in the garden. Full sun means 6 hours of direct sun per day; partial sun means 2-4 hours of direct sun per day; shade means little or no direct sun.

Full Sun

Spread
The width of the plant at maturity.

12 inches

Height
The typical height of this product at maturity.

9-18 inches

Sow Method
This refers to whether the seed should be sown early indoors and the seedlings transplanted outside later, or if the seed should be sown directly in the garden at the recommended planting time.

Indoor Sow

Planting Time
The recommended time of the year in which this product should be planted.

How to Sow and Plant

Cabbage may be direct sown or started indoors early for fall and spring crops, or purchased as transplants for a fall crop.

Sowing Seed Indoors:

Sow seeds from spring to early summer in the north; in the south and other frost-free areas, sow from fall to spring.

Start seeds indoors about 8 weeks before outdoor planting.

Sow seeds ¼ inches deep in seed-starting formula

Keep the soil moist at 70 degrees F

Seedlings emerge in 10-21 days

As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller. Incandescent bulbs will not work for this process because they will get too hot. Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours.

Seedlings do not need much fertilizer, feed when they are 3-4 weeks old using a starter solution (half strength of a complete indoor houseplant food) according to manufacturer’s directions.

If you are growing in small cells, you may need to transplant the seedlings to 3 or 4 inch pots when seedlings have at least 3 pairs of leaves before transplanting to the garden so they have enough room to develop strong roots.

Before planting in the garden, seedling plants need to be “hardened off”. Accustom young plants to outdoor conditions by moving them to a sheltered place outside for a week. Be sure to protect them from wind and hot sun at first. If frost threatens at night, cover or bring containers indoors, then take them out again in the morning. This hardening off process toughens the plant’s cell structure and reduces transplant shock and scalding.

Sowing Directly in the Garden:

Sow seeds from spring to early summer in the north; in the south and other frost-free areas, sow from fall to spring.

Sow in average soil in a sunny location in early spring or in midsummer for a fall crop.

Carefully remove the plant from its pot and gently loosen the root ball with your hands to encourage good root development.

Place the top of the root ball even with the level of the surrounding soil. Fill with soil to the top of the root ball. Press soil down firmly with your hand.

Use the plant tag as a location marker.

Thoroughly water and apply a light mulch layer on top of the soil (1-2 inches) to conserve water and reduce weeds.

How to Grow

Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating. Avoid disturbing the soil around the plants when weeding.